Looks Like They are Coming Our Way

Was it late Summer? The time when Mr Lex came to Perth for a short course and bunked in at my place. Then he chatted with me one fateful night and revealed adequate information about himself that prompted me to mutter an innocent comment, "Aye, ackcherly you can migrate what."

4 months later, they submitted their EOI. Quite impressive I must say. The sense of urgency (a nicer word for kiasu) of Angie certainly showed their intent to do this. I have been a silent reader of the whatsapp group set up for this and followed how Angie kept pushing and pushing. It reminded me of the time Jen and I did the opposite. We lost our way in the concrete jungle and completely put emigration out of our mind. The hustle of Singapore life certainly had a way to extinguish any intent for change, be it on national or personal level.

Change is intimidating. It is normal that the couple started asking each other if they "would make it," in Australia. It is starting to feel real. That makes it nervy because the comfort zone is activating. At this stage, qualification for permanent residency is met. The chances of getting invited to apply looks good. When it does happen eventually, that will be when the comfort zone will be at its glaring best, attempting any last grasp effort to resist. It works often, especially when it comes to a couple or a family - where it does not lie in a sole decision maker. I've seen people who held back or were held back. I've seen marriage broken up for this. This decision may be a no-brainer for some but it is daunting for many.

Once the application is made, it is more or less cast in stone. The application stage is where cold, hard cash - a lot of it - has to be dumped in. Even for the "rich" average Singaporeans, it is a sum of money to be taken seriously with. So, one who obtain his or her Oz PR and let it expire will be quite a fool rarity. It will not happen to this couple when the time comes. For a couple who quit their jobs to self employ, they have taken a leap once. I have no doubt another leap into the unknown is a formality to them.

She called me her "migration master." The actual fact is, I did nothing, except for trivial stuff like what documents she needed to gather and how to get them notorised, The tedious ground work was still done by themselves by liaising with the relevant assessment body for their skills assessment, getting testimonials from ex-employers, as well as statutory declarations by ex-colleagues to buff up inadequate areas. With that, they skipped the agent fees they were not prepared to fork out. The funny episode where Mr Lex screwed his first IELTS up ended with a sigh of relief when he cleared the second. The work is more or less done, except for raising a fat sum of application fees. All they can do now, is wait. All signs are pointing to them coming our way one day.

"I left the door unlocked so that you can come in because I love you so much."

- Albany, 21/11/2016

Emails 2017

Hi Nix,

I came across your interesting blog and wish to ask on your honest opinion.

Do you think it's a good idea to pay 6 months worth of house rental in advanced to secure a place to stay before we go over. Our situation makes it a little difficult to look for one in Darwin with 2 dogs that we couldn't leave behind. And we don't have a job there yet. Oh, we have gotten a 489 visa. And we are intending to move somewhere in June with our 2 dogs and an almost 2 year old kid.

Appreciate your intake on this.

Thanks a lot!

Hi Elaine,

The housing market is currently quite depressed so it should not be difficult to find rental properties. I don't think it is a good idea to pay 6 months in advance at all. You shouldn't find it a problem to get one. If you face any difficulties, let me know the details and see if I can give you ideas.

Hi,

Saw your blog while searching on Singaporean based overseas and hopeful can meet a bunch of you all if i ever go over eventually.

For myself after looking at migrating or completing the process before i do not have enough points to qualify.

Basing on my current situation, it seems since my CV is leaning towards the marketing and financial field. Which in this case seems only Adelaide and Darwin is the only option for Subclass 190.

Do you know any fellow Singaporeans based in either place?

Anyway, for me is more towards wanting a more laid back life and changing the environment. Ideal situation would be to work another 10 years before settling with a small farm land in the country in Aussie. But my worry is whether i would be able to secure a job in Aussie especially with my advance in age 38?

Lastly, any good advice for a frog in the well on his migration journey to aussie?

Many thanks in advance

Regards

Stanley

Hi Stanley,

If you cannot qualify for skilled migration on points, you will not be able to work here, unless you find an employer who is willing to hire you for your skill set and apply for a work visa for you. It is unlikely in this economic climate but may be your only chance.

Dear NIx,

Good day!

I have been reading your blog and decided to migrate to Australia.

I have been researching on how to go about migrating to Australia and unfortunately, I seem to have hit a road block, thus writing this email to seek your advice on which type of visa should i apply.

I will be turning 36 next year. BE Chemical Engineering from UNSW (Stayed in Sydney for 2.5 years and graduated in 2008). Msc in Maritime Studies from NTU (Graduating in June 2017). Currently working as a Business Development Manager in the Shipping Industry. I have also attached my CV for your reference.

I am confident of getting 60 points in the Points Test BUT my current job is not on the SOL list.

My mother's cousin is a PR in Australia and she and her family are living in Perth (I do not know whether this information helps)

I was thinking of taking part time courses in ITE in Electrical Wiring, Residential Plumbing or Air Conditioning and Refrigeration since these jobs are on the SOL list.

Any advice will be really appreciated.

Regards,

Colin Soh

Dear Colin,

First thing first, I would like to know how you qualify for 60 points in the Points Test. Will you be able to provide a breakdown ?

*Please note that if your occupation is not on the SOL, you will not be able to claim points for work experience nor academic qualifications.

Hey buddy!

Was scrolling through and landed on your site. Loved the Art of Survival; plain, blunt yet simple.

I'm a local Sporean dude and just got my PR. Currently workin on contract job and planning to move down under. I realise getting a job in Oz from Spore isn't gonna be easy. Thought of giving it a try since its been just a month. Plan B is to just move and get an unpaid internship for 3 mths. Any advise?

Kind regards,

Hi dude,

To be honest, I don't have a single clue about unpaid internship or anything like that. If you manage to get one of those, I will appreciate if you can let us know the details so we can all learn from you.

I apologise for being painfully obvious but if you find it hard to find a job in Australia from Singapore, then come here and look!

Hello,

My name is Adam and I cam across your blog about migrating to Australia. I would love some advice or experience that you can share with me with regards to my questions.

First of all, I am a US bachelor grad in Mechanical Engineering and worked in the US for 2.5 years. I am a Chinese Malaysian and I'm 25 years old by March (2017). Do you have any ideas or suggestions on migrating to Australia? The subclass 189 doesn't allow me to accumulate enough points because of my work experience did not meet the requirement of 3 years which I was told that usually the Australia immigration officer pay the most attention to. If you disagree with that statement, I would like to hear your advice on that.

The other way I thought is by studying my Masters degree there and while studying, I could think of an idea to set up a business there. Didn't research much into this path but if you have experience with this path, I appreciate a lot if you are willing to share.

Thank you very much and hope to hear from you soon,

Regards,

Adam

Hi Adam,

It sounds really simple. Choose the path of least resistance. Work for 3 years to gain your 60 points then! You'll need the funds to relocate anyway.